Is the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller compatible with the original Switch?

The Switch 2 is picky about power. Your old charger might not cut it for TV mode.

The 60W Requirement

Here's the deal: TV mode needs at least 60 watts (20 volts at 3 amps). The original Switch only needed 15V. So if you're trying to use old Switch dock accessories, they might charge the console but won't enable TV output. You'll be stuck in handheld mode.

What Definitely Works

The dock and charger that came with your Switch 2. Those are designed for it.

Beyond that, most quality 60W+ USB-C chargers work fine. MacBook chargers (61W+), Anker, Belkin, Ugreen. Basically any reputable brand with Power Delivery at 60W or more.

Handheld Charging Is Easier

Just charging in portable mode? Requirements are relaxed. A 30W or 45W charger works, just charges slower. The console actually only pulls 15-17W when charging anyway. Nintendo deliberately limits it to keep heat down and protect the battery.

Third-Party Docks: Proceed Carefully

They exist. Some work great. Some have bricked Nintendo consoles in the past. If you go third-party, look for one that explicitly says Switch 2 compatible and hits that 60W threshold. Cheap unbranded ones are risky.

New Dock Feature

The Switch 2 dock has its own cooling fan now. It kicks on during docked gaming to handle the extra heat from running at full power.

Troubleshooting

Docked but stuck in handheld mode? Your charger probably doesn't hit 60W. That's the most common issue when using older accessories.

256GB built-in. That's 8 times more than the original Switch. And it's faster storage too.

The Upgrade Is Real

Original Switch had a measly 32GB. Switch OLED bumped it to 64GB. Switch 2 goes to 256GB. You'll notice the difference immediately in load times because UFS 3.1 is significantly faster than the old eMMC storage.

Expanding Storage

When 256GB isn't enough, you can add microSD Express cards up to 2TB. Important catch: regular microSD cards don't work. You need the Express type with the "EX" logo.

Samsung, SanDisk, and Lexar make compatible cards. Prices are still high because Switch 2 is one of the first devices requiring this standard. They'll come down eventually.

What Goes Where

Games download to internal storage or your microSD Express card. Screenshots and captures can go to either.

Save data? That stays on internal storage only. No moving it to external cards.

The new "game-key cards" are physical media, but they still require a download to play. You need room on internal storage or a microSD Express card.

How Long Will 256GB Last?

Depends how you play. Physical game buyers? You might never fill it. Digital buyers with large libraries will eventually need expansion.

Rough math: a dozen or so major games plus a bunch of smaller indies before you hit the limit. If you routinely delete games you've finished, 256GB goes a long way.

Bottom Line

Most people won't need expansion right away. Wait for microSD Express prices to drop unless you're already running low.

You've got options. Nintendo controllers, old controllers, third-party controllers. Let's break it down.

The Official Stuff

Joy-Con 2: Comes with the console. Magnetic attachment, mouse mode, GameChat button. The new standard.

Switch 2 Pro Controller: Full-size, $80, has everything. HD Rumble 2, motion controls, amiibo, back buttons, headphone jack. Worth it if you play docked a lot.

GameCube Controller: Nintendo makes one specifically for Switch 2. Great for the GameCube classics library.

Your Old Joy-Cons: They still work! Just wirelessly though. They won't snap onto the sides. Keep them around for games that need the IR Motion Camera.

Your Old Pro Controller: Also works. Pairs wirelessly or plugs into the dock. Can't wake the console from sleep, but otherwise fine.

Third-Party Options

Basically any Bluetooth controller works. PC gamepads, phone controllers, whatever. Go to Settings, Controllers & Sensors, Change Grip/Order, put your controller in pairing mode, done.

Pro tip: if Joy-Con drift annoys you, look for controllers with Hall Effect sensors. They use magnets instead of the parts that wear out. No drift.

How Many Can Connect?

Eight controllers max. That's theoretical though. The actual limit depends on which types you're using and what features they're running.

Multiplayer Setup

Mix and match freely. Someone on old Joy-Cons, someone on a Pro Controller, someone on a third-party pad. It all works together.

Put your Joy-Con 2 flat on a desk and slide it around. A cursor appears on screen. That's mouse mode. It's surprisingly useful.

The Basics

Any flat surface works. Your desk, a book, a table. The Joy-Con tracks its own movement using internal sensors. Slide it left, the cursor goes left. The analog stick handles scrolling.

Pick the controller up off the surface and you're back to normal button controls. It switches instantly.

Where You'd Actually Use This

The Home Menu and eShop support it. More importantly, games can support it. Strategy games, point-and-click adventures, city builders, games that were designed for PC mouse input. Those translate really well.

Not every game has it though. Developers have to specifically add mouse support.

Getting Good Tracking

Smooth surfaces work best. A glossy desk beats a textured tablecloth.

Leave Dead-Zone Dampening at the default setting. It filters out minor drift that could make the cursor jittery.

Cursor jumping or lag? That's usually wireless interference. Scoot the dock away from your router.

Sweaty hands and humid rooms mess with tracking over time. Airflow helps. A desk fan is not the worst idea during long gaming sessions.

You Don't Have To Use It

Mouse mode is optional. You can completely ignore it and use regular controls forever. But if you play games that benefit from cursor precision, it's a nice feature to have in your pocket.

Yes! GameCube games finally came to Nintendo's online service with the Switch 2. If you've been waiting to replay Wind Waker or F-Zero GX portably, this is your chance.

What You Need

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. It's $80 a year and includes GameCube plus N64, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, and more. The regular $20 subscription doesn't cover it.

GameCube is exclusive to Switch 2. The original Switch doesn't get it.

What's Available

The library launched with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, SoulCalibur II, and F-Zero GX. Since then, they've added Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Strikers, Wario World, and others.

Nintendo keeps adding games over time. If something you want isn't there yet, patience might pay off.

How Do They Look?

Better than the originals. Higher resolution, cleaner image quality. You can choose between a clean modern display or a CRT filter if you want that nostalgic look.

Many games support online multiplayer too, which is something the GameCube never had.

Controller Situation

Nintendo sells a GameCube-style controller specifically for Switch 2 if you want the authentic feel. Regular controllers work fine though.

Recent updates have improved how the stick sensitivity maps to the original GameCube feel. It's not perfect, but it's close.

Bottom Line

If GameCube classics are important to you and you don't already have an Expansion Pack subscription, this is a solid reason to upgrade.

Short version: TV mode looks better. Handheld mode saves battery. There's more nuance than that, but that's the gist.

What Docked Mode Gets You

Pop your Switch 2 into the dock and you unlock 4K output at 60fps, or 1440p/1080p at 120fps. The console pulls about 18-19 watts and runs the GPU harder. The dock has its own cooling fan to handle the extra heat.

Many Switch 2 games have visual features that only turn on in docked mode. Ray tracing, better textures, that kind of thing. If a game can look better, it usually does when connected to a TV.

Handheld Is Still Good

The 7.9-inch 1080p 120Hz screen is genuinely nice. But to keep battery life reasonable, handheld mode throttles things back. Power consumption drops to about 10 watts. Games automatically dial down resolution and effects.

You won't get 4K or the fanciest graphics in your hands. That's the trade-off for portability.

A Neat Feature for Old Games

There's a Handheld Mode Boost option for backward-compatible Switch 1 games. Turn it on and those games run with their TV mode graphics, even in handheld. Better visuals, but it eats battery faster.

Watch Your Charger

Here's a gotcha: TV mode only activates with 60W or more from your charger. Old Switch chargers might not cut it. Lower wattage chargers still charge the console, but you're stuck in handheld mode even when docked. Consider a 60W USB-C charger if your original isn't cutting it.

Bottom Line

For the best-looking games, dock it. For convenience and portability, handheld is still impressive.

Nope. This one stings. That expensive microSD card you bought for your Switch? It won't work for games on Switch 2.

Here's the Problem

The Switch 2 only accepts microSD Express cards. Your old card uses a different, slower standard. Even if it physically fits in the slot, the console won't recognize it for game storage.

What You Can Still Do

There's one small consolation. You can insert your old card to pull off screenshots and video captures from your original Switch. That's it though. No games.

Time to Buy New

MicroSD Express cards have an "EX" logo on them. That's how you spot them. The Switch 2 supports up to 2TB.

Your current options are basically Samsung, SanDisk, and Lexar. The Switch 2 is one of the first devices to actually require this standard, so the market is still small. Prices are higher than regular microSD cards, but they should come down as more devices adopt the format.

Maybe You Don't Need One Yet

The Switch 2 has 256GB built in. That's a lot compared to the original Switch's 32GB. If you mix physical games with downloads and don't keep a ton of games installed at once, you might be fine for a while.

Quick Notes

You need to do a system update before using a new microSD Express card. Also, save data always lives on internal storage. You can't move saves to the card, only game downloads.

GameChat is basically Discord built into your Switch 2. Voice chat, video chat, screen sharing. All without needing your phone.

Getting Started

Press the C button on your controller. That's it. GameChat opens right up, even mid-game. No app switching, no phone required.

First time using it? You'll need to verify your identity with a phone number text confirmation. After that, you're set.

Here's the deal on cost: it's free until March 31, 2026. After that, you need Nintendo Switch Online. So enjoy the freebie while it lasts.

Voice Chat That Actually Works

The Switch 2 has a built-in mic with decent noise cancellation. It filters out background noise and game audio automatically. Works in handheld, tabletop, or docked mode. The mic adjusts to your situation.

You can chat with up to 12 people at once. Mute yourself, unmute, adjust other people's volumes. Standard stuff.

The Cool Extras

Screen sharing lets you show your game to friends. They don't even need to own the same game. Just stream your screen while you chat.

Video chat is possible too, but you need a USB-C camera (not included). Up to four people can be on video at the same time.

There's also Speech to Text if you want a written log of everything said, and Text to Speech if you prefer typing and having your messages read aloud.

For Parents

Kids under 16 need permission through the Parental Controls app. Parents also approve who their child can chat with. Pretty locked down.

Yep. The Joy-Con drift problem is back. Some people have seen it show up within days of getting their Switch 2.

Why Is This Still Happening?

Nintendo didn't fix the underlying cause. The Joy-Con 2 uses the same potentiometer-based stick technology as the original. These sensors wear out over time and start registering input when you're not touching the stick. That's drift.

Hall Effect sensors, which use magnets and basically don't wear out, would have solved this. But Nintendo apparently couldn't use them because the Joy-Con 2 already relies on magnets to attach to the console. More magnets might have caused interference issues.

The iFixit Verdict

iFixit tore down the Switch 2 and gave it a 3 out of 10 for repairability. Getting to the stick components to fix drift yourself? Good luck. They called the disassembly process "perhaps needlessly complicated."

At Least There's Free Replacement

Nintendo is replacing drifting Joy-Con 2 controllers for free. If yours starts acting up, contact support and they'll send you a replacement.

Some Tips That Might Help

Sweaty hands and humid environments speed up sensor wear. Keep your gaming space cool and well-ventilated. If you use mouse mode, leave Dead-Zone Dampening at the default setting. It helps filter out minor drift.

Or Just Get Different Controllers

The Switch 2 Pro Controller may hold up better. Third-party options with Hall Effect sensors exist too. If drift drives you crazy, those are worth considering.

Absolutely. There are a few ways to move your saves over, and none of them are particularly complicated.

The Easy Way: Cloud Saves

If you have Nintendo Switch Online, your saves are probably already in the cloud. Just sign into your Nintendo Account on the Switch 2, flip on Automatic Save-Data Download in Settings, and put the console to sleep. It'll pull down your saves automatically.

One heads up: if your membership expires, you've got 180 days to renew before losing access to those cloud backups. Don't wait too long.

The Direct Way: Local Transfer

Have both consoles handy? Do a local transfer. The two systems talk to each other wirelessly and copy everything over. Save data, user profiles, settings. The whole package.

The "I'm Trading In My Switch" Way

Nintendo lets you upload your data to their server, then download it on Switch 2 later. Handy if you need to sell or trade your old Switch before the new one arrives.

The Pokemon Problem

Here's the catch. Pokemon games don't use standard cloud saves. Same with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The transfer process will flag these games so you know what won't come over automatically.

For Pokemon specifically, you might need to use Pokemon HOME or other workarounds. Look into that before wiping your old Switch.

Good News for Non-Subscribers

Don't have Nintendo Switch Online? You can still do a direct local transfer between two consoles. Cloud saves require the subscription, but console-to-console doesn't.